14:45 Punchestown

Monday 14 January 2019

All12:4013:1013:4014:1514:4515:1515:50

Racing TV Home Of British And Irish Racing Novice Handicap Hurdle (80-109)

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 5m 6.00s

Whatsinthecorner^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 109| BF

8/1

Plenty to like about the Windsor Knot geldings second of nine here last month over the larger obstacles and could be capable of a big run on return to hurdles in this contest.

Form: 212202

Blue Empyrean^p¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: A Ring| T: R K Watson| OR: 108| D

25/1

Out of sorts nine-race maiden hurdler who was well held earlier this month in a 27L defeat at Tramore on soft ground. Liable to find a couple stronger.

Form: P-P6FP8

Dont Go Mad¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: C A Landers⁽⁵⁾| T: C Byrnes| OR: 109

12/1

Unplaced over hurdles so far although latest fifth of 14 at Tramore when stepped up to 2m5f was an improved effort. Yard in good form and worth a market check.

Form: 058955

First Class Return^h1¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 11-9| J: B J Cooper| T: M F Morris| OR: 106

9/1

Well held on a number of runs last year with his fourth of 20 behind Ronald Pump the highlight of a struggling season. First time hood doubtful to bring about the required amount of progress needed to play a role here.

Form: 0-66846

Thomas O'Malley^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Paul Townend| T: J R Finn| OR: 109

16/1

Well beaten and no impression in a number of disappointing efforts here over 2m/2m4f on good ground since October. Plenty to prove at present.

Form: 34-F576

British Art^h⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-6| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: R K Watson| OR: 103

7/2

Returned from a long break with a solid effort at Tramore earlier December before a ¾L win in a 17-runner handicap hurdle at Down Royal on St Stephens Day. Second of eight beaten a neck at Clonmel on Thursday and a leading player here.

Form: 8/03182

Emily Square³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: D J Mullins| T: T Mullins| OR: 97

14/1

Running well on the Flat but remains an 11-race maiden hurdler and overall record over timber casts doubt on her ability to get competitive here.

Form: 027-F90

Gliondar Mo Chroi^t¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: M A Enright| T: A Fogarty| OR: 97| D

6/1

Distance winner of a Ballinrobe handicap hurdle in September off a 6lb lower mark. Beaten since but holds strong place claims in this contest.

Form: 926103

Kilkeaskin Molly¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: L P Dempsey| T: J P Dempsey| OR: 100

7/1

Not disgraced in either of her runs at Naas last month and when finishing fourth of 20 to Ronald Pump in a Fairyhouse handicap hurdle earlier this month. Likely to improve and worth considering.

Form: 004024

Wrap Star^t¹⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: J M Moore| T: A McCann| OR: 94| BF

66/1

More recently seen finishing in rear on the AW at Dundalk. Not seen over a hurdle for over 18-months and probably best avoided here.

Form: 0350/0-

Hussle Up^b¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Katie O'Farrell⁽⁵⁾| T: P Neville| OR: 93

12/1

Had not managed to better a promising debut bumper run from 18-months ago, before a 2L defeat when finishing fourth of 16 in a Limerick handicap hurdle over 2m last month. Capable of a big run if in the mood.

Form: 6-50474

Disco Musik³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Donagh Meyler| T: M J McDonagh| OR: 92

28/1

Nothing in six starts, three of them over hurdles, to merit suggestion he'll have anything other than a bit-part role to fulfil in this field.

Form: 000PU9

Overbury Prince^t⁹

Age: 12| Weight: 10-9| J: Jack Kennedy| T: T O'Brien| OR: 92

11/2

Solid in the point-to-point field but remains an eight-race maiden including five defeats over hurdles. Infrequent visits to the course is a major negative.

Form: P2-2P12

Stoughan Cross^t¹⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-5| J: Sean O'Keeffe⁽⁷⁾| T: T Gibney| OR: 88| D

25/1

0-15 over timber previously, sole pair of successes coming over larger obstacles. Form doesn't warrant support in this contest.

Form: UPP-40P

Balgowlah³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: A W Short⁽³⁾| T: C A McBratney| OR: 96

33/1

Modest form on the Flat and has failed to catch the eye in three innocuous hurdle starts to date. Plenty more needed in this group.

Form: 800

Non-Runners

Feagreen Native¹⁴

Weight: 10-10| Age: 6

T: J J Lambe J: P D Kennedy

Forecasts

British Art (7/2), Overbury Prince (11/2), Gliondar Mo Chroi (6/1), Kilkeaskin Molly (7/1), Whatsinthecorner (8/1), First Class Return (9/1), Hussle Up (12/1), Dont Go Mad (12/1), Emily Square (14/1), Thomas O'Malley (16/1), Stoughan Cross (25/1), Blue Empyrean (25/1), Feagreen Native (25/1), Disco Musik (28/1), Balgowlah (33/1), Wrap Star (66/1)

Solid and consistent between 2m and 2m4f, the J J Hanlon-trained WHATSINTHECORNER can bounce back to winning ways in this contest to overcome his 15-rivals despite running off top weight. The seven-year-old Iffraaj gelding, British Art makes a quick return to the track following a second of eight behind Danse Away at Clonmel on Thursday and can emerge as the biggest danger. Overbury Prince and Don't Go Mad for the in form Charles Byrnes yard appear capable of hitting the frame.